Chair Having A Coupling Unit For Interlinking Purposes

ABSTRACT

A chair having a seat element includes, on both sides of the seat element, in relation to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the chair, one chair leg element in each instance. Each chair element, forms two chair legs, as well as a coupling unit for interlinking the chair with a chair of the same design. The coupling unit is formed by a first connection element, which connects the chair legs of one chair leg element to each other at their lower ends, and by a second connection element, which connects the chair legs of the other chair leg element to each other at their lower ends. The first connection element of the chair can be interlocked with the second connection element of the chair of the same design for interlinking the two chairs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of German Utility Model No. No. 20 2014 100 124.7 filed on Jan. 13, 2014, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a chair that comprises a seat element and, on both sides of the seat element, one chair leg element in each instance as well as a coupling unit for interlinking the chair with a chair of the same design.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such chairs are known from practice and can in particular be used for putting up interlinked rows of chairs. For example, such chairs can feature area rests as coupling units, which arm rests, when the chair is interlinked with a chair of the same design, can be coupled to an arm rest of said chair, wherein the arm rest on one side of the seat element is then embodied so as to be complementary to the arm rest on the other side of the seat element, such that the arm rests of adjacent chairs can be interlocked. This type of interlinking is, however, not applicable to chairs without arm rests. For chairs without arm rests, it is, instead, known to envisage a hook-like tab which projects to the side, and which, when the relevant chair is interlinked with a chair of the same design, engages with a receptacle of the chair to be linked with the chair it belongs to, the receptacle also being embodied the side of the seat element. The tab, however, diminishes the visual appearance of the chair, in particular if said chair is used without being interlinked with other chairs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to create a chair of the generic type mentioned in the introduction, featuring an optimized and in particular good-looking coupling unit for sturdily interlinking the chair with a chair of the same design.

In accordance with the invention, this object is attained by the chair having a seat element and, on both sides of the seat element, in relation to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the chair, one chair leg element in each instance, which forms two chair legs, as well as a coupling unit for interlinking the chair with a chair of the same design. The coupling unit is formed by a first connection element, which connects the chair legs of one chair leg element to each other at their lower ends, and by a second connection element, which connects the chair legs of the other chair leg element to each other at their lower ends. The first connection element of the chair can be interlocked with the second connection element of the chair of the same design for interlinking the two chairs.

In a preferred embodiment of the chair according to the invention, the chair legs and the respective connection element are made in one piece from a continuous bent rod-like element, which in particular consists of metal. Hence, for producing the coupling, unit, it is not necessary to unite multiple structural elements. Instead, the rod-like element or the rod only has to be bent to such an extent that both the chair legs in question and the associated connection element are molded.

In a special embodiment of the chair, each chair leg, at its end, for forming the respective connection element, features one bent portion, which is oriented to the outside in relation to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the chair, and which is connected to the bent portion of the other chair leg of the chair leg element in question via a bridging portion, wherein the bent portions of the first connection element, in relation to the seat element, are arranged at a lower position than the bent portions of the second connection element. The bent portions are preferably molded in such a way that two chairs, in their interlinked state, are also secured to each other towards the rear and towards the front, i.e. that they cannot even slip with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction of the chair.

Expediently, the bent portions of the first connection element, in relation to the seat element at least largely without any height compensation, are in each stance guided to a first footing portion, and the bent portions of the second connection element are in each instance guided to a second footing portion in a sloping way, which second footing portion is level with the first footing portions.

The footing portions can in each instance be furnished with a foot element.

The bridging portions, in a special embodiment, are in each instance embodied so as to extend parallel to a ground surface. Alternatively, the bridging portions can also in each instance he embodied in a reversed V-shape or in another manner.

In order to achieve a good stackability of the chair according to the invention, the chair legs of the chair leg elements can in each instance be constructed so as to diverge towards the ground surface and can have an arrangement in an at least largely reversed V-shape.

In a preferred embodiment the two chair leg elements and the two connection elements are one-piece components of a chair frame, which is made from a continuous bent rod. Consequently, the chair according to the invention only consists of two or three structural elements, namely of the chair frame and of the seat element and, if applicable, of a separate back rest element.

Further advantages and advantageous configurations of the subject-matter of the invention can be taken from the description, from the drawing and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Three exemplar embodiments of a chair according to the invention are illustrated in the drawing in a schematically simplified way, being explained in more detail in the following description. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a chair according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the chair according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 silo the chair according to FIG. 1 together with a chair of the same design in the interlinked state;

FIG. 4 shows an interlinking region of the chairs according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a chair stack;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the chair according to the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the chair according to FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows the chair according to FIG. 6 together with a chair of the same design in the interlinked state;

FIG. 9 shows an interlinking portion of the chairs according to FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a chair stack;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective front view of a third embodiment of the chair according to the invention;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective bottom view of the chair according to FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows an exploded illustration of the chair according to FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 shows an interlinking portion of the chair according to FIG. 11 together with an interlinking portion of a chair of the same design in the interlinked state; and

FIG. 15 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 14, but in the unlinked state of the two chairs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a chair 10 is illustrated individually, which is embodied as a stackable chair and features a chair frame 12, on which a seat element 14 and a back rest element 16 are arranged.

The chair frame 12 is formed in one piece from a bent continuous metal rod, which, on both sides, in relation to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the chair, firms one chair leg element 18 or 20 in each instance. The chair leg elements 18 and 20 are in each instance embodied in an essentially reversed V-shape and in each instance feature two chair legs 18A and 18B or 20A and 20B, which lead downwards to the ground starting from the seat element 14.

At their lower ends, the chair legs 18A and 18B are connected to each other via a first connection element 22, which is part of the continuous rod of the chair frame 12. The chair legs 20A and 20B of the chair leg element 20 are connected to each other via a second connection element 24, which is also part of the continuous rod of the chair frame 12. The two connection elements 22 and 24 constitute a coupling unit for interlinking the chair 10 with a chair 10′ of the same design, as it is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The connection element 22, which as it has already been stated above, connects the two chair legs 18A and 18B to each other at their ends that face away from the seat element 14, is realized in that the chair legs 18A and 18B, at their lower ends, feature one bent portion 181A or 181B in each instance, which is oriented to the outside in relation to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the chair. The bent portions 181A and 181B are, in relation to the seat element 14 at the same height, in each instance guided to a footing portion 182A or 182B. The two tooting portions 182A and 182B are connected to each other via a bridging portion 183 which has a reversed V-shape, and which spans a plane, which is parallel to a plane that is spanned by the chair legs 18A and 18B.

For embodying the second connection element 24, at the lower ends of the chair legs 20A and 20B, bent portions 201A and 201B are embodied which point to the outside in relation to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the chair, and which, in relation to the seat element 14, are arranged at a higher position than the bent portions 181A and 181B of the connection element 22. The bent portions 201A and 201B form one sloping rod portion in each instance, which leads to a footing portion 202A or 202B, being level with the footing portions 182A and 182B of the first chair leg element 18. The footing portions 202A and 202B are, in turn, connected to each other is a bridging portion 203 having a reversed V-shape, which spans a plane, which is parallel to a plane that is spanned by the chair legs 20A and 20B.

As it can be taken from FIGS. 3 and 4, when interlinking two chairs 10 and 10′, the connection element 22 of chair 10′ is interlocked with the connection element 24 of chair 10, to be more precise in such a manner that the bent portions 201A and 201B of chair 10 reach error bent portions 181A and 181B or over the footing portions 182A and 182B, such that footing portions 202A and 202B of chair 10 are arranged next to tooting portions 182A and 182B of chair 10′ between the plane that is spanned by the bridging portion 24 and the plane that is spanned by the chair legs 20A and 20B. The bridging portions 183 and 203 are supported against each other or rest against each other.

As it can be taken from FIG. 5, the chairs 10, 10′ can be stacked in a space-saving way along an axis that is vertically oriented.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, a further embodiment is individually illustrated, which also illustrates a chair 60, which is embodied as a stackable chair and features a chair frame 12, on which a seat element 14 and a back rest element 16 are arranged.

The chair frame 12 is formed in one piece from a bent continuous metal rod, which, on both sides, in relation to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the chair, forms one chair leg element 18 or 20 in each instance. The chair leg elements 18 and 20 are in each instance embodied in an essentially reversed V-shape and in each instance feature two chair legs 18A and 18B or 20A and 20B which lead doff downwards to the ground starting from the seat element 14.

At their lower ends, the chair legs 18A and 18B are connected to each other via a first connection element 22, which is part of the continuous rod of the chair frame 12. The chair lets 20A and 20B of the chair leg element 20 are connected to each other via a second connection element 24, which is also part of the continuous rod of the chair frame 12. The two connection elements 22 and 24 constitute a coupling unit for interlinking the chair 10 with a chair 10′ of the same design, as it is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

The connection element 22, which, as it has already been stated above, connects the two chair legs 18A and 18B to each other at their ends that face away from the seat element 14, is realized in that the chair legs 18A and 18B, at their lower ends, feature one bent portion 181A or 181B in each instance, which is oriented to the outside in relation to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the chair. The bent portions 181A and 181B are, in relation to the seat element 14 at the same height, in each instance guided to a footing portion 182A or 182B. The two footing portions 182A and 182B are connected to each other via a bridging portion 183 which extends parallel to the ground and higher than the footing portions 182A and 182B, and which is located in a plane, which is parallel to a plane that is spanned by the chair legs 18A and 18B.

For embodying the second connection element 24 at the lower ends of the chair legs 20A and 20B, bent portions 201A and 201B are embodied which point to the outside in relation to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the chair, and which, in relation to the seat element 14, are arranged at a higher position than the bent portions 181A and 181B of the connection element 22. The bent portions 201A and 201B form one sloping rod portion in each instance, which leads to a footing portion 202A or 202B, being level with the footing portions 182A and 182B of the first chair leg element 18. The footing portions 202A and 202B are, in turn, connected to each other via a bridging portion 203 which extends parallel to the ground and lower than the footing portions 202A and 202B, and which is located in a plane, which is parallel to a plane that is spanned by the chair legs 20A and 20B.

As it can be taken from FIGS. 8 and 9, when interlinking two chairs 60 and 60′, the connection element 22 of chair 60′ is interlocked with the connection element 24 of chair 60, to be more precise in such a manner that the bent portions 201A and 201B of chair 60 reach over bent portions 181A and 181B or over the footing portions 182A and 182B of chair 60′, such that footing portions 202A and 202B of chair 60 are arranged next to footing portions 182A and 182B of chair 60′ between the plane that is spanned by the bridging portion 24 and the plane that is spanned by the chair legs 20A and 20B. Here, bridging portion 183 is arranged at a higher position than bridging portion 203.

As it can be taken from FIG. 10, the chairs 60, 60′ can also be stacked in a space-saving way along an axis that is vertically oriented.

In FIGS. 11 to 13, a further embodiment of a chair 80 is individually illustrated, which chair is also a stackable chair and features a chair frame 12, at which a scat element 14 and a back rest element 16 are arranged.

The chair frame 12 consists of two bent metal rods 82 and 84, which form one chair leg element 18 or 20 in each instance and which are connected to each other via a cross beam 86, on which the seat element 14 is arranged. The two chair leg elements 18 and 20 are in each instance embodied in an essentially reversed V-shape and in each instance feature two chair legs 18A and 18B or 20A and 20B, which point downwards to the ground starting from the seat element 14.

At their lower ends, the chair legs 18A and 18B of the chair leg element 18 are connected to each other via a first connection element 22, which is part of the continuous rod 82 of the chair frame 12. The chair legs 20A and 20B of the chair leg element 20 are connected to each other via a second connection element 24, which is part of continuous rod 84 of the chair frame 12. The two connection elements 22 and 24 constitute a coupling unit for interlinking the chair 80 with a chair of the same design, as it is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15.

The connection element 22, which connects the two chair legs 18A and 18B to each other at their ends that face away from the seat element 14, is configured in such a manner that the chair legs 18A and 18B, at their lower ends, feature one bent portion 181A or 181B in each instance, which is oriented to the outside in relation to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the chair, and which has an at least largely horizontal orientation. The two bent portions 181A and 181B are connected to each other via a bridging portion 183 which extends in the longitudinal direction of the chair and is oriented horizontally, and which is located in the same plane as the bent portions 181A and 181B, the same also being oriented horizontally, and which forms a footing portion of the chair leg element 18.

The second connection element 24 of the chair leg element 20 is realized in such a manner that, at the lower ends of the chair legs 20A and 20B, bent portions 201A and 201B are embodied which point to the outside in relation to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the chair, and which, in relation to the seat element 14 or to the ground, on which the chairs 80 that are interlinked with each other are standing, are arranged at a higher position than the bent portions 181A and 181B of the connection element 22 of the chair lee element 18. The bent portions 201A and 201B in each instance have a horizontal orientation and in each instance merge into a sloping portion, which leads to a bridging portion 203 that forms a footing portion, and which connects the two bent portions 201A and 201B to each other in the longitudinal direction of the chair.

Furthermore, at the two bridging portions 183 and 203, two footing and securing elements 90A and 90B or 92A and 92B are in each instance arranged, which elements consist of plastic and are slid onto the respective bridging portion 183 or 203. Footing and securing elements 90A and 90B in each instance have one planar bearing portion 91, via which the bridging portion 183 are borne on the ground, and one engaging tab 96, with which bridging portion 203 of the corresponding chair leg element 20 engages in the interlinked state. Footing and securing elements 92A and 92B in each instance have one bearing portion 98 via which bridging portion 24 is borne on the ground, and a tab portion 100, which reaches over the bridging portion 183 of the chair leg element 18 in the interlinked state. Footing and securing elements 90A and 92A on the one side and 90B and 92B on the other side in each instance positively engage with one another.

As it can be taken from FIGS. 14 and 15, when interlinking two chairs 80, the connection element 22 of one of the chairs is interlocked with connection element 24 of the other chair, to be more precise in such a manner that bent portions 201A and 201B of chair 60 reach over bent portions 181A and 181B of the other chair, such that the bridging portions 22 and 24 are located one next to the other in a common horizontal plane and form the footing portions of the chairs that are interlinked with each other. In the interlinked state of the two chairs, the two connection elements 22 and 24 are secured by the footing and securing elements 90A, 90B, 92A, and 92B. 

1. A chair comprising: a seat element having opposite sides relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the chair; a chair leg element on each of the opposite sides of the seat element, one of the chair leg element forms two chair legs; a coupling unit for interlinking the chair with a chair of the same design, the coupling unit including a first connection element and a second connection element, the first connection element connects the chair legs of one chair leg element to each other at lower ends of the chair legs formed by the one chair leg element, and the second connection element connects the chair legs of the other chair leg element, to each other at lower ends of the chair legs formed by the other chair leg element, wherein the first connection element of the chair can be interlocked with the second connection element of the chair of the same design for interlinking the two chairs.
 2. The chair according to claim 1, in which at least the chair legs of one chair leg element and the respective connection element are made in one piece from a continuous bent rod-like element, which in particular consists of metal.
 3. The chair according to claim 1, in which one bent portion forming one of the first or second connection element at an end of each chair leg is oriented to the outside in relation to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the chair, and which is connected to a bent portion of the other chair leg of the chair leg element via a bridging portion, and in that the bent portions of the first connection element, in relation to the seat element, are arranged at a lower position than the bent portions of the second connection element.
 4. The chair according to claim 3, in which the bent portions of the first connection element, in relation to the seat element, at least largely without any height compensation, are in each instance guided to a first footing portion, and in that the bent portions of the second connection element are in each instance guided to a second footing portion in a sloping way, which second footing portion is level with the first footing portions.
 5. The chair according to claim 4, in which the footing portions are in each instance furnished with a foot element.
 6. The chair according to claim 3, in which the bridging portion extends parallel to a ground surface.
 7. The chair according to claim 3, in which the bridging portion is embodied in a reversed V-shape.
 8. The chair according to claim 1, in which the chair legs of the chair leg elements are in each instance constructed so as to diverge towards the ground surface and have an arrangement in an at least largely reversed V-shape.
 9. The chair according to claim 1, in which the two chair leg elements and the two connection elements are one-piece components of a chair frame, which is made from a continuous bent rod.
 10. The chair according to claim 1, including at least one footing and securing element arranged at the chair leg elements and secure interlocked chair leg elements to each other in an interlinked state of the two chairs. 